USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 21
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Collected for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, $1,045.03.
Collected for Church Extension society, $414.12.
Collected for Tract society, $133.71.
Collected for Sunday School Union, $739.40.
Collected for Freedinen's Aid Society, 284.69.
Collected for Education, $253.28.
Collected for American Bible Society, $233.73.
Collected for Pastors, Presiding Elders and Bishops, $60,505.15.
197
GENERAL CONFERENCE AT PHILADELPHIA.
Aggregate of estimates of pastors' salaries, $60,491.00.
Aggregate of pastors salaries received, $59,410.00.
Average estimate of ninety-four salaries reported, $647.42. Average received, $618.85.
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
1884. The General Conference met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1884, Bishops Simpson, Bowman, Harris, Foster Wiley, Merrill, Andrews, Warren, Foss and Hurst being present.
David S. Monroe was nominated for Secretary and elected by acclamation.
Two hundred and sixty-one ministerial delegates and one hundred and fifty-six lay delegates were announced, from ninety-nine Annual Conferences, eight of which were in foreign countries.
Bishop Erastus O. Haven, Bishop Levi Seott, Bishop Jesse T. Peek, having died sinee the last General Conference, memorial services were held.
Bishop Simpson, being in feeble health, a resolution was adopted, expressing the sympathy and high esteem of this Conference.
The following persons were elected bishops : Rev. William X. Ninde, D. D., Rev. J. M. Walden, D. D., Willard F. Mallalieu, D. D., Rev. Charles H. Fowler, D. D.
Rev. William Taylor was elected Bishop for Africa. This was a new departure in missionary enterprise, which promises important results.
The following resolution offered by Daniel Curry was adopted, viz. :
"Resolved, That these words be inserted as a rubric, at the beginning of the Ritual for the conseeration of Bishops :
"[This service is not to be understood as an ordination to a higher order in the christian ministry, beyond and above that of Elders or Presbyters, but as a solemn and fitting eonseeration for the special and most saered duties of superintendency in the church. ]"
This action of the General Conference was intended to define the nature of the episcopal office in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to eheek any prelatic aspiration in those who are elected to this high and responsible offiee.
Just before the final adjournment of the Conference, Bishop. Simpson, who had been confined to his house in great feebleness, came in and addressed the conference, expressing his satisfaction with the results of the deliberations, and his gratitude for the many favors. he had received, invoking the blessing of God upon the members of
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198
MAINE CONFERENCE AT BIDDEFORD.
the Conference and their families. In a few weeks after the adjourn- inent of Conference, the good Bishop, in many respects without his cqual among his episcopal associates, passed from his bed of sickness to his reward above.
STATISTICS, 1883.
Itinerant ministers, 11,31); local preachers, 12,026.
Number of churches, 18,741; parsonages, 9,815; value, together, $79,238.85.
Number of Sunday schools, (1882) 21,152; officers and teachers, 226,702; scholars, 1,638,895.
Collections and Income from Funds (1883).
Collected for Parent Missionary Society,
$751,469.90
Collected for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, 124,823.38
Collected for Woman's Home Missionary Society, (estimated,) 25,000.00
Collected for Board of Church Extension, 109,496.25
Collected for Sunday School Union and Tracts,
32,311.00
Collected for Frecdmen's Aid Society,
123,153.72
Collected for Board of Education,
25,000.00
Collected for conference claimants,
167,693.00
Total,
$1,448,947.25
Tocal net capital of Book Concerns at New York and Cincinnati, $1,617,449.80.
Profits on business of both Concerns for the last four years, $350,115.86.
Number of Theological Seminaries, 9, (4 in foreign countries.)
Number of Colleges and Universitics, 43.
Number of Classical Seminaries, 67.
Number of Female Seminaries and Colleges, 25.
(1886). Members, 1,659,816; probationers, 196,028; total, 1,855,844. Number of churches, 19,384; value, $74,833,142. Number of Sunday schools, 22,246; officers and teachers, 241,859 ; scholars, 1,786,919. Raised for General Missionary Society, $992,871.53.
1885. The Maine Conference met in the Methodist church in Biddeford, April 23, 1885, Bishop Harris, presiding ; George C. Andrews elected Secretary by acclamation, with the privilege of nominating Assistant Secretaries.
The Presiding Elders read their reports.
Visiting brethren from other conferences were introduced.
Fraternal delegates from Congregational, Baptist and Free Baptist bodies, presented fraternal greetings. Rev. Dr. Beach, President of Wesleyan University, addressed the conference.
On Friday afternoon, the annual missionary sermon was delivered by Rev. J. W. Bashford.
Saturday afternoon was devoted to memorial services. Memoirs of Rev. Parker Jaques, Henry L. Linscott, Benjamin F. Pease and Eaton Shaw, were read, followed with remarks by several preachers ;
199
MAINE CONFERENCE AT BRIDGTON.
also memoirs of Mrs. Catherine Sanderson, wife of Rev. Aaron Sanderson ; of Carrie N., wife of Rev. Charles S. Cummings ; of Mrs. Hillman, widow of the late Abner P. Hillman, and of Mrs. Marion M. Ladd, wife of Rev. Ammi S. Ladd.
A resolution was adopted, expressing respect and sympathy for Rev. Isaac Lord, in great feebleness at his home in Biddeford, who for fifty-four years had cheerfully served upon the hardest charges of the conference ; also a resolution was adopted, expressing sympathy for Rev. C. W. Morse, in his affliction by the loss of his companion by death, and by his own failing health ; also expressing a kind appreciation of his long and faithful services.
Received by transfer : Theodore Gerrish, from East Maine Conference.
Admitted on trial : Julian M. Buffum, John H. Roberts.
ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS.
1
One hundred and nine circuits and stations ; one hundred and cight preachers appointed ; nine places to be supplied. Members, 11,020; probationers, 1,743; total, 12,763.
Number of Sunday schools, 144; officers and teachers, 1,624; scholars, 11,762.
Received for conference claimants, $2,900.88.
Colleeted for Parent Missionary Society, $3,308.95.
Collected for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, $1,082.24.
Collected for Maine Conference Home Missionary Society, $960.00.
Total collections for Missions, $5,351.19.
1886. The sixty-second session of the Maine Conference was held in the Methodist church in Bridgton, April 29, 1886, Bishop Warren, presiding.
The annual missionary sermon was delivered at eight o'clock, in the morning of the 29th, before the meeting of the conference, by Rev. C. W. Bradlee.
Rev. George C. Andrews was chosen Secretary by acclamation, with the privilege of nominating Assistant Secretaries.
On the calling of the roll, seventy-one ministers responded to their names. The names of four were announced as having deceased during the year.
The Presiding Elders read their reports, giving a full account of their labors and of the condition of the work upon their districts.
Friday, eight o'clock, A. M., a semi-centennial sermon was preached by Rev. Charles C. Cone, from II Corinthians, 5 :13.
Visiting brethren from other conferences were introduced ; also pastors of Baptist, Free Baptist and Congregational churches.
200
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Fraternal delegates from the Maine General Conference of Congregational churches, from the Maine Baptist Convention and from the Maine Western Yearly Meeting of the Free Baptist church, were introduced, and presented the christian greetings of the bodies they represented.
Friday afternoon was devoted to memorial services. Memoirs were read of Aaron Sanderson, Eleazer W. . Hutchinson, Alpheus B. Lovewell, Isaac Lord, Elwin W. Simons ; also of Ann Celia J., wife of Rev. Charles Munger. Remarks were made by several preachers.
The 993d hymn was sung :
" It is not death to die, To leave this weary road And 'mid the brotherhood on high, To be at home with God." &c.
Committees were appointed on all the usual subjects, some months previous to the session of Conference. The result of this arrangement, is that the reports are much more able and exhaustive, and worthy of preservation.
The report on Methodist literature, while commending the manage- ment of our great Book Concerns, strongly urges the importance of closely following the example of Wesley, and pre-empting the field so successfully cultivated by Funk, Wagnall and others, of furnishing standard religious literature, at greatly reduced prices."
The Committee on Education, in their report, make encouraging mention of all the institutions of learning, in any sense under the patronage of the Conference.
The Maine Wesleyan Seminary, has increased its departments, in order to meet the public demand, and though generously endowed needs additional funds to provide enlarged facilities.
The Wesleyan University, through the remarkable munificence of its friends, is relieved from financial embarrassment and is rendering increasingly valuable service to the church and the world.
The Boston University, with great rapidity, has advanced to a position of great strength and prosperity.
The New England Education Society is favorably mentioned ; also Lasselle Seminary.
The Maine Wesleyan Board of Education was incorporated under an act of the Legislature of Maine, August 10, 1849.
It is composed of nine members, seven of whom must be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The present members are : Rev. S. Allen, President; M. G. Palmer,
201
MAINE WESLEYAN BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Vice President; B. M. Eastman, Secretary ; James Noyes, Treasurer; Charles Davenport, Hon. Joseph A. Locke, Francis A. Smith, J. B. Donnell, Horace H. Shaw.
Article third of the Act of Incorporation, provides that, "The corporation may hold real aud personal estate, and that the annual income thereof, together, with the annual subscriptions, donations and contributions, shall be applied to the sole use and purpose of education, under the direction of Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or in accordance with the will of the donors."
This board now holds funds securely invested, amounting to about $25,000, designed, by the donors for the benefit of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College. The board also has received a bequest of $50,000, which will soon be available, from the late Dr. E. Clark. The income all to be devoted to the Seminary and College at Kent's Hill.
Received, by transfer : G. R. Palmer, from East Maine Conference ; E. C. Bass, from New Hampshire Conference.
Admitted, on trial : Abel E. Parlin, Daniel R. Ford.
ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS.
One hundred and five circuits and stations; one hundred and seven preachers appointed; six places to be supplied. Members, 10,963; probationers, 1,738; total, 12,701.
Number of churches, 129; value, 598,450; parsonages, 71; value, $98,600.
Number of Sunday sehools, 131; officers and teachers, 1,593; scholars, 11,844.
Received for conference claimants, $2,902.71.
Collected for Parent Missionary Society, $3,627.62.
Collected for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, 915.81.
Collected for Woman's Home Missionary Society, 137.70.
Collected for Maine Conference Domestic Missionary Society, $900.00.
Total collection for Missions, $5,581.13.
1886, Maine Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, members, 10,963; probationers, 1,738 ; total, 12,709.
1886, East Maine Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, members, 8.901 ; probation- ers, 2,304; total, 11,205.
1886, total members of Methodist Episcopal Church, in two Conferences in Maine, 19,664; probationers, 4,042; total, 23,906.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
1886, Maine Conference, members, 10,963; probationers, 1,738; total, 12,701
1886, East Maine Conference,
8,901; probationers, 2,301; total, 11,205
1886, total, members,
19,664;
4,042;
23,906
1886, Maine Conference, churches,
129
1886, East Maine Conference, churches,
123
1886, total, churches, in Maine,
252
CONGREGATIONALISTS.
1886, Members, 21,405; absent, 4,604; churches, 250; ministers, one hundred and seventy-two, of whom ninety-nine are acting pastors and nineteen licentiates and lay preachers.
BAPTISTS.
1886, members, 19,871; ehurehes, 247; ordained ministers, 144.
202
METHODISTS IN MAINE. BAPTISTS. CONGREGATIONALISTS.
Of these three leading denominations in Maine, the Methodists, reckoning the members on probation as equivalent to one-half the number of members in full connection, gives the membership of the Methodist Episcopal church in Maine, 21,685. The Methodist, though the youngest of the leading religious denominations in Maine, is numerically the strongest.
In contributions to the cause of missions, the Congregationalists and Baptists are far in advance.
The Congregationalist Church contributed, in 1886, for foreign missions, $9,572 ; and for home missions, $9,726. The Baptists contributed for General Mission work, $9,978; and for aid of feeble Churches in Maine, $3,256.01.
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203
ELIHU ROBINSON'S SCHOOL.
CHAPTER XVII.
1820. ELIHU ROBINSON'S SCHOOL. L. SAMPSON. READFIELD RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE SOCIETY. MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY, 1824. CHEAP BOARD AND TUITION. MANUAL LABOR SCHOOLS, FAILURES. FIRST TEACHIERS OF THE MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY. ZENAS CALDWELL, 1825. HIS DEATII, DECEMBER 21, 1826. MISS PAINE, FIRST PRECEPTRESS. D. MOODY AND FAMILY. STUDENTS WHO BECAME EMINENT. AGENTS. A BOLD MEASURE. G. F. Cox. HIS SUCCESS. PROSPERITY. MR. CALDWELL GOES TO DICKIN- SOX COLLEGE. W. C. LARRABEE. POPULARITY OF THE SCHOOL. DISASTER. BANKRUPTCY. H. P. TORSEY, PRINCIPAL. CRISIS PASSED. D. B. RANDALL. CLAIMS RELINQUISHED. SCHOOL PROSPERS. NEW BUILDING NEEDED. S. ALLEN'S AGENCY, 1853. SUCCESS, 1860. NEW BUILDING. FUNDS ACCU- MULATE. PROSPERITY. BEARCE HALL, 1871. PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. INVESTED FUNDS. MAINE WESLEYAN JOURNAL. METHODIST DEPOSITORY.
EDUCATION. .
The Methodists in Maine, during the first thirty years of their history, were in no condition to establish schools. The Congrega- tionalists, true to their Puritan antecedents, looked carefully after the interests of the people in that respect. Academies, under their direction, were soon established in the more prominent towns, aided by legislative grants.
Bowdoin College was organized in 1802, under Congregationalist control. Waterville College was established by the Baptists, in 1820. The same year, Elihu Robinson, a worthy Methodist class-leader, of Augusta, commenced a school in his own house. He employed teachers to give instruction, but the oversight and management of the school, were in the hands of Mr. Robinson and his wife. It was a religious Boarding School. Mrs. Robinson was an intelligent and devoted christian. Evenings, before retiring, the pupils were called together by her, for religious instruction and devotional services. Her influence over the school was highly salutary.
Rev. Samuel Baker desired to unite with Mr. Robinson in carrying on his school. A brief trial of his services satisfied Mr. Robinson, that his school regime was neither wise nor practicable.1 The school continued at Augusta about three years. In the meanwhile, Luther
1 Mr. Baker was for a few years a member of Maine Conference. He was a man of marked ability, but extremely eccentric. (Letter from Mr. P. C. Plummer of Bangor.)
204
READFIELD RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE SOCIETY.
Sampson, a forehanded farmer of Kent's Hill, was feeling himself imperatively moved, to make some provision for the education of young men of the Methodist Church, who were called to the work of the ministry.
Accordingly, without any knowledge of Mr. Robinson's school, "in the year 1821,2 Mr. Sampson, with five associates3 living in his vicinity, procured an act of incorporation, under the name of the Readfield Religious and Charitable Society. The objects of this society, though not defined in the charter, appear to have been : the Support of Public Worship at Kent's Hill ; the Aiding of the Kent's Hill School District in extending the time and influence of their school ; the collecting of a library for the people of Readfield ; the aiding of several Societies in the County in repairing their churches ; and alleviating the necessities of the superannuated ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
" A donation of about ten thousand dollars in real and personal estate, was made by Mr. Sampson, to the Trustees.
"The society continued its operations about three years. No account is recorded of its operations during that time.
"In 1823, the deed of the property given by Mr. Sampson, specifying the objects for which the property should be used, was so altered as to direct that a part of the property should be appropriated to the establishment, and for the benefit of a school to be located on the premises, in Readfield, for the purpose of affording instruction in the principles of Experimental Christianity, Theology, Literature, the practical knowledge of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts."4 A very broad foundation, in design !
"In May, 1824, the Trustees voted to change the name to the Maine Methodist Education Society. In December following, the vote was reconsidered, and it was decided that the institution should be called,
THE MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY."5
A new act of incorporation was obtained, the name was changed, as desired. The number of Trustees was increased to twenty-five, and the restriction in regard to their places of residence, was removed.
2 Account by Rev. W. C. Larrabee in Maine Wesleyan Journal, Sept. and Oct. 1839.
3 The names of the Trustees were: Luther Sampson, Charles Kent, John Hubbard, Abraham Morrill, Zachariah Gibson, John Morris.
4 Account by Rev. W. C. Larrabec.
5 Ibid.
205
THE SCHOOL AT KENT'S HILL. CHEAP BOARD AND TUITION.
Mr. Sampson, hearing of Mr. Robinson's School at Augusta, went to see him, and urged him to remove his school to Kent's Hill, and take charge of operations there. The donation of ten thousand dollars was in those days, a strong argument. Mr. Robinson consented, and on the 27th of February, 1824, removed into the Seminary Boarding House at Kent's Hill,6 and assumed the general management of the institution.
" The objects of the institution were not defined in the new charter. These were named in the deed of conveyance of real estate. A seminary building was soon erected, in a plain and economical style ; mechanic shops were built, and a manual labor department was opened."
"The object which the Trustees constantly held in view, was to furnish the means of instruction, at the lowest possible cost, to those who were unable to meet the expense of education at other institutions."7
Board and Tuition were furnished at the lowest rates ; board for one dollar per week, and provision was made for most of the expense of each student to be paid in labor upon the farm, or in the shops. The manual labor plan adopted, was regarded with great favor by the public, and was heralded as a great success. Soon young men from far and near, came in large numbers, to avail themselves of these advantages.
The institution afforded an excellent opportunity, at small expense, for physical and mental training, and many a poor boy was helped into a career of usefulness and honor.
But as a source of revenue, the plan of manual labor for a school, involves a radical fallacy. The labor of the average student, is necessarily unskilled labor, and though rated at a very low price, can not be made worth the cost to the institution ; not unfrequently, the students' labor was worth nothing, or less than nothing. The manufactured articles were generally of inferior quality and could not be sold at remunerative prices. The labor upon the farm showed no better results, and the farm rapidly depreciated. The manual labor scheme proved a disastrous failure, and after a trial of about twelve years, was abandoned.
" In the early part of 1825, Mr. Asa H. Thompson of Industry, then preparing to enter the ministry, was chosen Principal, but died
6 Letter of Mrs. Abigail Robinson to the writer, 1859.
7 Rev. W. C. Larrabee.
206 Z. CALDWELL, PRINCIPAL. HIS DEATHI. BOARD OF OVERSEERS.
before entering upon the duties of his office. Rev. Henry Cushman was employed a few months as Principal."8
In September of this year, Rev. Zenas Caldwell was elected Principal, and entered upon the duties of his office. Mr. Caldwell was a graduate of Bowdoin College, and had been Preceptor of Hallowell Academy, the preceding year. . He was a young man of rare promise. The Trustees considered themselves providentially favored, in securing the services of a thorough seholar and a devoted Methodist for this important position. Mr. Caldwell was the first Methodist from Maine who had graduated from a College.
The school was organized under his care, and received from him a direction which secured for it a high degree of success. The school went on prosperously, till the fall of 1826, when Mr. Caldwell was obliged, on aeeount of failing health, to retire to the home of his childhood in Hebron, Maine, where he died Deeember 21, 1826, aged twenty-six years. This was a sad event for the school as well as a great grief to his friends.
Merritt Caldwell, brother of Zenas, and William C. Larrabee, then students in Bowdoin College, took charge of the school during the fall of 1827.
In February of this year, a Board of Overseers was organized after the manner of some Colleges, under an aet of the Legislature, consisting of Abraham Morrill, Obed Wilson, J. B. Cahoon, Allen H. Cobb, Joshua Taylor, David Kilburn, and the President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. This Board continued to hold meetings for a few years, and died of negleet.
" In 1827, the school was under the charge of Dr. Samuel Stevens, a graduate of Waterville College. In the spring term of 1828, Joshua Randall, a graduate of Waterville College, aeted as Prineipal.
" In the Fall term of 1828, after his graduation, Merritt Caldwell was elected Principal, and held the ofiiee with mueh honor to himself and advantage to the institution, till 1834, when he was elected to the professorship of Philosophy in Diekinson College, Pennsyl- vania."9
During the Principalship of Mr. Caldwell, a Female department was established under the care of Miss Phebe Paine 10 as Preceptress. This department has continued to inerease in importanee, till it has grown to a Female College.
8 Rev. W. C. Larrabee. 9 Ibid.
10 Miss Urania Merritt was employed as teacher before Miss Paine.
207
D. MOODY AND FAMILY. STUDENTS WHO BECAME EMINENT.
At this stage of the history, it will not be out of place to notice one family, which, for many years, was closely identified with the Seminary -that of Dudley Moody, Esq. Mr. Moody became Steward of the Seminary, during the principalship of Merritt Caldwell, and remained faithful at his post through the most formidable troubles of the institution, ever watching over its affairs with anxious solicitude. When at length, he retired from his office, and opened a hotel near the seminary, the hospitality of his excellent home was generously bestowed upou visiting friends.
Mrs. Moody was a lady of rare excellence, always exerting a kind, motherly influence upon the students. and making her home attractive by excellent order and her rare culinary skill. Wayward and discouraged young men have had occasiou to bless the memory of the gentle and faithful "Mother Moody," for her kindly advice and influence, and the young ladies of the school always found in Mrs. Moody a kind and faithful adviser. They both closed their lives in their quiet home at Keut's Hill. Mrs. Rev. H. B. Abbott, and Mrs. George W. Jewett, daughters, still remain near the old homestead.
The school continued to prosper in all respects except in its fiuances, and gained a high reputatiou for thorough instruction at very moderate cost. Many young meu of limited means, but of rare promise, were attracted to its otherwise uninviting halls. Among these were : John Johnston, subsequently, LL. D., late Professor of Natural Science, iu Wesleyan University ; Rev. Joseph Cummings, D. D., LL. D. President of Wesleyan University, now of North West University ; William H. Allen, LL. D., late President of Girard College ; Rev. Mark Trafton, D. D., of the New England Conference ; Bishop D. W. Clark, D. D., late Bishop of Methodist Episcopal Church ; Rev. Thomas Sewall, D. D., late able Minister of Baltimore Conference ; Rev. Charles Collins, D. D., former President of Dickenson College ; Hon. Timothy O. Howe, late Postmaster-General ; Rev. Edward Cook, D. D., and many others worthy of honorable mention.
The income of the institution continued to fall short of the expenses. To meet the deficiency, agents were employed to solicit funds.
In the year 1830, Rev. Asa Heath, a member of Maine Conference, was appointed agent. In 1831-2. Rev. Charles Baker was appointed to this service.
At the session of Conference in 1831, Mr. Caldwell, the Principal, visited the Conference, and by request, represented the needs of the
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